Fire broke out in Kingston Road apartment Thursday

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A 46-year-old man is clinging to life after a fire ripped through his south Scarborough apartment Thursday, Dec. 4.

The two-alarm blaze at 2218 Kingston Rd. broke out at 10:47 a.m.

Local resident Mike Cook said he saw smoke coming out of a window as he walked by the two-storey building. "I ran upstairs and felt the (apartment) door, and it was warm. I started kicking the door in, but it wouldn't open," Cook said.

"The landlord's brother got a key, and we opened the door. The smoke came billowing out. I covered my face and tried to go in. The smoke was too much. I couldn't breathe and see."

Cook, 39, said police officers with fire extinguishers also tried to get into the apartment but were also forced back by thick smoke.

Firefighters pulled out the victim a short time later and revived him on the sidewalk. He was taken by ambulance to Toronto East General Hospital and was fighting for his life at press time.

Neighbours identified the victim as Clyde Nichols, a City of Toronto water department employee. "He's a really nice guy," said Cook. "I'm hoping he pulls through. We've been friends for 10 to 15 years."

Capt. Mike Strapko of Toronto Fire Services said there is significant smoke and fire damage to the victim's apartment. "There's some damage to the apartment below. The ceilings have partially collapsed," he added. "There is some water damage as well."

Strapko said smoke alarms were working in the building. "We don't know why the individual wasn't able to get out on his own."

There were 13 fire trucks at the scene. The fire marshal's office is investigating the cause of the blaze.